Athletic Performance and Proper Hydration!
by: Dr. Paul Goodkin
We are in the middle of what the meteorologists are calling the hottest year in Florida?EVER. Dang! This is a perfect lead in to one of the most important topics that I discuss with my patients.
Not only is water required for each and every function (even at the cellular level) of our bodies, but it is vital to spinal and joint health. Without getting too much into anatomy, those with chronic back/neck/shoulder/knee pains are usually in some state of dehydration. After all, the discs (those little cartilage shock absorbers between the vertebrae) are mostly filled with water, so when we?re dehydrated, we begin to feel the disc injuries (that we all have) just a bit more.
The amount of fluids you require is a simple formula: ¾ of your body weight in ounces of water. So, when I finally reach 200lbs, Ill need 150 ounces of water daily. That?s a bit over a gallon per day, or over 4 liters for you metric fans. If you?re not presently getting that and you start in with the proper amount, yes, you will be in the bathroom A LOT?no worries, after a couple of days, your kidneys will have self regulated and everything will be back to normal. And NO? beer, espresso, Grey Goose, cola, and iced tea is not an appropriate way to hydrate.
Lets throw a wrench in the equation?when we train, roll, run, or hang out in the sun, we sweat out lots of water and electrolytes. Electrolytes are vital in the firing of nerve impulses to the muscles, muscle contraction and for the prevention of cramps. Sports drinks have them in abundance, but honestly, none of us need all of the processed sugars in drinks like gator/powerade. I prefer the no sugar varieties of those. Best of all is nature?s own sports drink, coconut water. It has no added sugar and far more electrolytes than any commercial sports drink.
Finally, you may wonder how important hydration is to your jiu jitsu. It?s been clinically demonstrated time after time that dehydration will sap up to 75%, no that?s not a typing error, of your strength and endurance during athletic competition. None of us can afford to be sapped during a roll, especially during a competition or a tournament. So, figure out how much water you need on a daily basis, stock up on some kind of sports drink, and roll hard!!!!
Feel free to contact me anytime at any of the email addresses or phone numbers below to discuss this or any other issue you may be having. See you at training!
Dr. Paul Goodkin
(954) 202-9009
navychiro@aol.com
Website: Fort Lauderdale Chiropractor
